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My System: A Treatise on Chess
For many years, Nimzovich was known as the "Stormy Petrel" of the chess world. Today, his profound theories of positional chess are accepted as a matter of course, and a knowledge of them is essential to every player who wants to improve his game.
My System describes a theory of chess; it also describes the character and genius of its author. It is a very readable book, for Nimzovich's methods sparkle with humor, pungent originality, and witty explanations.
My System describes a theory of chess; it also describes the character and genius of its author. It is a very readable book, for Nimzovich's methods sparkle with humor, pungent originality, and witty explanations.
378 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1925
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March 6, 2009
One of the most influential chess books ever written. Controversy still rages as to whether Nimzovitch actually invented the ideas described here, but he was certainly the person who popularized them. And his writing style. If nothing else, it's memorable. What chess player is there who can't quote at least a few well-known precepts, like "Restrain, blockade and then destroy!" or "The passed pawn is a criminal, who must be kept under lock and key!"
Chess players divide broadly into "tactical" (they attack directly, relying on their skill in calculating forcing variations) and "positional" (they block the position and maneuver slowly, hoping that long-range planning ability will be the deciding factor). It's sort of the difference between serve-and-volley and baseline in tennis. Nimzovitch was one of the people who helped create the positional school, and some of his maneuvering victories have to be seen to be believed. You feel sorry for his opponents, who often appear to have not the slightest idea of what is going on.
It was a shame that Nimzovitch didn't live to see Tigran Petrosian become World Champion. He bitterly regretted the fact that he never reached the #1 position himself; Alekhine was just too good at attacking. But watching Petrosian take the title would have been almost as satisfying.
Chess players divide broadly into "tactical" (they attack directly, relying on their skill in calculating forcing variations) and "positional" (they block the position and maneuver slowly, hoping that long-range planning ability will be the deciding factor). It's sort of the difference between serve-and-volley and baseline in tennis. Nimzovitch was one of the people who helped create the positional school, and some of his maneuvering victories have to be seen to be believed. You feel sorry for his opponents, who often appear to have not the slightest idea of what is going on.
It was a shame that Nimzovitch didn't live to see Tigran Petrosian become World Champion. He bitterly regretted the fact that he never reached the #1 position himself; Alekhine was just too good at attacking. But watching Petrosian take the title would have been almost as satisfying.
July 9, 2015
نوشتن یک رمان بدون چاشنی روانشناسانه مسخره است.همان اندازه که نوشتن یک رساله شطرنج بدون ارجاع دادن به ویژگی مهره ها نیز مسخره خواهد بود
آرون نیمزوویچ
به گفته مترجم این کتاب شاهنامه شطرنج است.برای من همچون شاهنامه فردوسی با اینکه زمان زیادی از نگارش آن گذشته است هنوز خواندن کتاب لذت بخش است و چیزهای زیادی از آن آموختم
در شطرنج به دو علت شکست می خوریم: مرئی و نامرئی
علت مرئی را بیشتر در بازی تازه کارها می توان دید،اشتباهات بزرگ بعلت بی دقتی یا بی توجهی به حرکات حریف
اما علت های نامرئی که اغلب در بازی آماتورها دیده می شود.یکی از مهمترین شان از دست دادن تمپ است
شاید تا حالا پیش آمده که قبل آنکه تمام سوارها را گشایش دهید با یک مهره مثه فیل کیش می دهید و بعد چون حر��ف با پیاده دفاع میکند مجبور به حرکت دادن دوباره فیل می شوید.بدتر از آن ،فیل که چند حرکت کرده را با اسب یا فیل حریف که تنها یک حرکت کرده تعویض می کنید
به این می گویند از دست دادن تمپ
نیمزوویچ مثال جالبی در این باره می زند: مانند کشاورزی که با از دست دادن یک گوساله،نه تنها غم از دست دادن حیوان،که ماتم هزینه هایی که صرف تغذیه آن کرده است را به دوش خواهد کشید
برای روشن تر شدن قضیه،سوالی ساده می پرسم.آیا حاضرید گوساله ای که گاو شده را با گوساله ای یک ساله عوض کنید؟
شطرنج آنقدرها هم پیچیده نیست اگر بتوان با دیدی روانشناسانه با آن برخورد کرد
وزیر را زود وارد میدان جنگ نکنید.اصلا در هیبت و شخصیت وزیر نیست که در اول جنگ با چند پیاده و سوار در بیوافتد
هرگاه سوارها و پیادگان در محل خود قرار گرفتند و آن گاه که از این بچه قرطی ها کاری بر نیامد وزیر را وارد کنید با جلال کامل
تا همه مهره ها در برابرش به لرزش بیوفتند
؛)
با آمدن وزیر روح تازه ای در سوارها دمیده می شود و همه شان از اینکه گردن کلفتی کنارشان است آنقدر جسارت پیدا می کنند که حتی دست به یقه وزیر حریف هم می شوند
:))
یکی دیگر از چیزهایی که شاید در نظر اول زیاد مهم بنظر نیاد و بهمین خاطر آن را جزو نامرئی ها می نامم استفاده از ستون باز است
ستون باز یعنی هیچ پیاده خودی در آن ستون نباشد و با قرار دادن قلعه در آن ستون، حریف توپ باران خواهد شد
مانند این است که محلی را از نفرات خودی خالی کرده ای و حالا دشمن مستقیما در برد توپ هایت قرار دارد
یکی دیگر از حربه ها که علت قرار گرفتن در بین نامرئی هاست استفاده از دو وسیله حمله در هنگام نبرد است یکی شمشیر و دیگری خنجری که در دست دیگرت پنهان کردی تا اگر شمشیر کارساز نشد با خنجر ضربه هولناکی به حریف وارد کنی
به این میگویند حمله دوجانبه
که حریف را بدجور بهم می ریزد و عصبانی میکند.و خوشا وقتی که حریف عصبانی شود؛ به قول دارتانیان (از چهار تفنگدارهای الکساندر دوما)، حریف بازیچه ای بیش نیست و خیلی راحت کلکش کنده می شود
هزاران مثال دیگر میشه پیدا کرد.چون می گویند زندگی مثل بازی شطرنج است و یا برعکس
:نتیجه
راستش اوایل فقط بخاطر لذت پیروزی، شطرنج باز ی می کردم و این قبل از آن بود که شطرنج باعث شود با آدمهایی آشنا بشوم که دوستی با ایشان، برایم افتخار خیلی بزرگی است
و به همین خاطر شطرنج و کتاب را بیشتر از پیش دوس دارم چون باعث شدند که افتخار حضور در کنار انسان هایی روشنفکر و فوق العاده را پیدا کنم
:جملات کتاب
در شطرنج ،خوش بینی در دراز مدت،عاملی تعیین کننده است.بدین معنی که به لحاظ روان شناختی،باید از بدست آوردن برتری های کوچک ،خوشنود باشیم.یک استاد با دیدن یک ضغف پیاده ای در گوشه صفحه ای،خوش حال می شود
.این گونه خوش بینی مبنای گریز ناپذیر بازی پوزیسیونی است
اما "روی هم انباشتن ارزش های ناچیز به طمع استفاده در روز مبادا " که بیشتر یادآور ذهنیت افراد خسیس است را چگونه می توان ستایش برانگیز و قابل توصیه دانست؟
آن اصول کدامند که یک بازیکن پوزیسیونی راستین باید از آنها پیروی کند؟
"پاسخ من روشن و تنها در یک کلمه است: تفکر "پیشگیرانه
همواره به عشق آغازین خود باز می گردید: زنده باد عرض هفتم
قانون دکتر تاراش: رخ باید پشت سر پیاده رونده قرار گیرد، خواه پیاده خودی باشد خواه غیر خودی
"ذهنیتی نادرستی که باید برطرف شود: اینکه همواره "باید کاری انجام داد
اگر در پی نابود کردن ساختاری هستید آشکارا نباید با نابود کردن تزئینات معماری آن آغاز کنید، بلکه باید به " پی بنا" روی آورید.قطعا در ادامه ،تزئینات خود بخود از بین خواهند رفت
..................................................................
این کتاب اولین بار در سال 1925 نگارش یافته است و تغییر زیادی در ایده های نیمزوویچ داده نشده است
این همچنین بدین معنی نیست که شطرنج از 1925 تا بحال دچار تحول نشده است.باوری رایج در علم در آغاز قرن بیستم وجود داشت که بنابر آن،مکانیک جهان فیزیکی ما اساسا کشف شده است و آنچه باقی مانده،تنها پر کردن "حفره های کشف نشده" است.پس از آن بود که فیزیک کوانتوم فرا رسید و دانش ما را از جهان تغییر داد
شطرنج نیز در نیمه دوم قرن بیستم دچار تحول مشابهی شد
نیمزوویچ برای قرن 21 نوشته "یاکوب آگارد"
آرون نیمزوویچ
به گفته مترجم این کتاب شاهنامه شطرنج است.برای من همچون شاهنامه فردوسی با اینکه زمان زیادی از نگارش آن گذشته است هنوز خواندن کتاب لذت بخش است و چیزهای زیادی از آن آموختم
در شطرنج به دو علت شکست می خوریم: مرئی و نامرئی
علت مرئی را بیشتر در بازی تازه کارها می توان دید،اشتباهات بزرگ بعلت بی دقتی یا بی توجهی به حرکات حریف
اما علت های نامرئی که اغلب در بازی آماتورها دیده می شود.یکی از مهمترین شان از دست دادن تمپ است
شاید تا حالا پیش آمده که قبل آنکه تمام سوارها را گشایش دهید با یک مهره مثه فیل کیش می دهید و بعد چون حر��ف با پیاده دفاع میکند مجبور به حرکت دادن دوباره فیل می شوید.بدتر از آن ،فیل که چند حرکت کرده را با اسب یا فیل حریف که تنها یک حرکت کرده تعویض می کنید
به این می گویند از دست دادن تمپ
نیمزوویچ مثال جالبی در این باره می زند: مانند کشاورزی که با از دست دادن یک گوساله،نه تنها غم از دست دادن حیوان،که ماتم هزینه هایی که صرف تغذیه آن کرده است را به دوش خواهد کشید
برای روشن تر شدن قضیه،سوالی ساده می پرسم.آیا حاضرید گوساله ای که گاو شده را با گوساله ای یک ساله عوض کنید؟
شطرنج آنقدرها هم پیچیده نیست اگر بتوان با دیدی روانشناسانه با آن برخورد کرد
وزیر را زود وارد میدان جنگ نکنید.اصلا در هیبت و شخصیت وزیر نیست که در اول جنگ با چند پیاده و سوار در بیوافتد
هرگاه سوارها و پیادگان در محل خود قرار گرفتند و آن گاه که از این بچه قرطی ها کاری بر نیامد وزیر را وارد کنید با جلال کامل
تا همه مهره ها در برابرش به لرزش بیوفتند
؛)
با آمدن وزیر روح تازه ای در سوارها دمیده می شود و همه شان از اینکه گردن کلفتی کنارشان است آنقدر جسارت پیدا می کنند که حتی دست به یقه وزیر حریف هم می شوند
:))
یکی دیگر از چیزهایی که شاید در نظر اول زیاد مهم بنظر نیاد و بهمین خاطر آن را جزو نامرئی ها می نامم استفاده از ستون باز است
ستون باز یعنی هیچ پیاده خودی در آن ستون نباشد و با قرار دادن قلعه در آن ستون، حریف توپ باران خواهد شد
مانند این است که محلی را از نفرات خودی خالی کرده ای و حالا دشمن مستقیما در برد توپ هایت قرار دارد
یکی دیگر از حربه ها که علت قرار گرفتن در بین نامرئی هاست استفاده از دو وسیله حمله در هنگام نبرد است یکی شمشیر و دیگری خنجری که در دست دیگرت پنهان کردی تا اگر شمشیر کارساز نشد با خنجر ضربه هولناکی به حریف وارد کنی
به این میگویند حمله دوجانبه
که حریف را بدجور بهم می ریزد و عصبانی میکند.و خوشا وقتی که حریف عصبانی شود؛ به قول دارتانیان (از چهار تفنگدارهای الکساندر دوما)، حریف بازیچه ای بیش نیست و خیلی راحت کلکش کنده می شود
هزاران مثال دیگر میشه پیدا کرد.چون می گویند زندگی مثل بازی شطرنج است و یا برعکس
:نتیجه
راستش اوایل فقط بخاطر لذت پیروزی، شطرنج باز ی می کردم و این قبل از آن بود که شطرنج باعث شود با آدمهایی آشنا بشوم که دوستی با ایشان، برایم افتخار خیلی بزرگی است
و به همین خاطر شطرنج و کتاب را بیشتر از پیش دوس دارم چون باعث شدند که افتخار حضور در کنار انسان هایی روشنفکر و فوق العاده را پیدا کنم
:جملات کتاب
در شطرنج ،خوش بینی در دراز مدت،عاملی تعیین کننده است.بدین معنی که به لحاظ روان شناختی،باید از بدست آوردن برتری های کوچک ،خوشنود باشیم.یک استاد با دیدن یک ضغف پیاده ای در گوشه صفحه ای،خوش حال می شود
.این گونه خوش بینی مبنای گریز ناپذیر بازی پوزیسیونی است
اما "روی هم انباشتن ارزش های ناچیز به طمع استفاده در روز مبادا " که بیشتر یادآور ذهنیت افراد خسیس است را چگونه می توان ستایش برانگیز و قابل توصیه دانست؟
آن اصول کدامند که یک بازیکن پوزیسیونی راستین باید از آنها پیروی کند؟
"پاسخ من روشن و تنها در یک کلمه است: تفکر "پیشگیرانه
همواره به عشق آغازین خود باز می گردید: زنده باد عرض هفتم
قانون دکتر تاراش: رخ باید پشت سر پیاده رونده قرار گیرد، خواه پیاده خودی باشد خواه غیر خودی
"ذهنیتی نادرستی که باید برطرف شود: اینکه همواره "باید کاری انجام داد
اگر در پی نابود کردن ساختاری هستید آشکارا نباید با نابود کردن تزئینات معماری آن آغاز کنید، بلکه باید به " پی بنا" روی آورید.قطعا در ادامه ،تزئینات خود بخود از بین خواهند رفت
..................................................................
این کتاب اولین بار در سال 1925 نگارش یافته است و تغییر زیادی در ایده های نیمزوویچ داده نشده است
این همچنین بدین معنی نیست که شطرنج از 1925 تا بحال دچار تحول نشده است.باوری رایج در علم در آغاز قرن بیستم وجود داشت که بنابر آن،مکانیک جهان فیزیکی ما اساسا کشف شده است و آنچه باقی مانده،تنها پر کردن "حفره های کشف نشده" است.پس از آن بود که فیزیک کوانتوم فرا رسید و دانش ما را از جهان تغییر داد
شطرنج نیز در نیمه دوم قرن بیستم دچار تحول مشابهی شد
نیمزوویچ برای قرن 21 نوشته "یاکوب آگارد"
June 4, 2017
This book has valuable information either for an amateur and a master chess player. I was recommended to read it each time I improved my play by 200 points ELO. The first part of the book, "The Elements", is well written and instructive for beginning-intermediate players, I've read it 2 times by now. The second part, "Positional Play" contains more advanced topics, such as Prophylaxis. I believe the second part may be somehow dull and not pragmatic for beginners, as it was for me at the time, thus I recommend just a quick reading through, if you want go for it anyway. There is even a French edition that splits the this book in two books (nice editor choice, obviously a chess connoisseur).
This book is well known by its influence on World Champion Tigran Petrosian style of play, as "For infinitely many times have I analysed the games and positions from this book, and I liked very much to read it without chess. So, it's not surprising that finally I have learned it by heart." (T. Petrosian).
I do believe this book requires a semi-serious studying attitude, and if you go for it, you'll not regret it. I love the accompanying prose, e.g. "It may sound somewhat amusing, but let e assure you, my dear reader, that for me the passed pawn possesses a soul, just like a human being; it has unrecognized desires which slumber deep inside it and it has fears, the very existence of which it can but scarcely divine."
I think its time to read the second part again :)
This book is well known by its influence on World Champion Tigran Petrosian style of play, as "For infinitely many times have I analysed the games and positions from this book, and I liked very much to read it without chess. So, it's not surprising that finally I have learned it by heart." (T. Petrosian).
I do believe this book requires a semi-serious studying attitude, and if you go for it, you'll not regret it. I love the accompanying prose, e.g. "It may sound somewhat amusing, but let e assure you, my dear reader, that for me the passed pawn possesses a soul, just like a human being; it has unrecognized desires which slumber deep inside it and it has fears, the very existence of which it can but scarcely divine."
I think its time to read the second part again :)
October 13, 2020
Hay conceptos muy valiosos y nadie duda de la importancia de Nimzo en el desarrollo del juego posicional, no obstante el libro carece de un autentico valor didáctico al estar concebido más como una serie de justificaciones para atribuirse nuevas ideas y conceptos posicionales, que como un libro para enseñar a jugar.
June 24, 2018
This has to be one of the most highly overrated books in the history of chess. I admit though that if you were starting chess in 1960 it was much harder to find better books to teach you strategic ideas. This book would then have had to be on your shopping list to buy or check out from a local library. But by 2010 there are much higher quality books that will teach you all the same material with better illustrations and better explanations. Jeremy Silman's "Reassess Your Chess, 4th edition" comes to mind immediately as being much superior and one should also check out "Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy" by John Watson and "Understanding Chess Move by Move" by John Nunn.
"My System" is anything but systematic and is hard to approach for newer players although I have to give it three stars for it's historical value and for the "meat" of the theoretical ideas which do stand the test of time. Well, mostly. For instance, a threat cannot be stronger than it's execution. Is it better to threaten checkmate or to deliver on the threat??
"My System" is anything but systematic and is hard to approach for newer players although I have to give it three stars for it's historical value and for the "meat" of the theoretical ideas which do stand the test of time. Well, mostly. For instance, a threat cannot be stronger than it's execution. Is it better to threaten checkmate or to deliver on the threat??
July 8, 2022
Right from the first few pages of My System, I learned things that I could immediately put to good use. The subject of tempo is just one of those things about which I've never read a satisfactory description, but finally, thanks to Nimzowitsch, I think I understand the use of tempo in the opening. Another issue about which I've been a bit shaky for some time is the use of rooks and open files. Again, Nimzovitsch does an excellent job of clearing up this subject. If you have studied many games by the masters, you've no doubt come across some rook moves that just don't seem to make any sense. A player slides a rook over to a file that isn't even half-open, never mind open, as if there was some purpose, but the reason is completely opaque and the annotator conveniently fails to justify the rook move. Well, Nimzovitsch calls these things "mysterious rook moves," and explains what they are all about. A definite "aha!" moment for me.
Here's another thing that has perplexed me for quite a while. I've often read a phrase along the lines of "provoke a weakness, fix it as a target, eliminate the target." The discussions about this philosophy have been lacking at best, but as Nimzovitsch lays it out in his description of pawn chains and blockading, the issue emerges with extreme clarity. Another "aha!" moment.
It's interesting to note that the author's definition of a pawn chain is somewhat different than definitions I have read before. The reason for this is fairly clear from the text because Nimzovitsch's definition is necessary for his treatment of how to attack pawn structures. He maybe could have chosen a different phrase to describe this pawn structure, but you'll get the hang of it quickly enough.
Probably the thickest common thread throughout the weave of My System is the center of the board: how to occupy it, how to defend it, how to control it, and when to shift your attack away from the center and onto a flank. I found that last bit particularly interesting because, as with much of this book, Nimzovitsch treats a subject about which I am familiar in a way that clarifies my understanding. I ❤ chess though.
Here's another thing that has perplexed me for quite a while. I've often read a phrase along the lines of "provoke a weakness, fix it as a target, eliminate the target." The discussions about this philosophy have been lacking at best, but as Nimzovitsch lays it out in his description of pawn chains and blockading, the issue emerges with extreme clarity. Another "aha!" moment.
It's interesting to note that the author's definition of a pawn chain is somewhat different than definitions I have read before. The reason for this is fairly clear from the text because Nimzovitsch's definition is necessary for his treatment of how to attack pawn structures. He maybe could have chosen a different phrase to describe this pawn structure, but you'll get the hang of it quickly enough.
Probably the thickest common thread throughout the weave of My System is the center of the board: how to occupy it, how to defend it, how to control it, and when to shift your attack away from the center and onto a flank. I found that last bit particularly interesting because, as with much of this book, Nimzovitsch treats a subject about which I am familiar in a way that clarifies my understanding. I ❤ chess though.
September 18, 2016
Wise and witty. The best book of chess instruction ever.
December 13, 2023
It took me all year to read this book, and when I first started I thought it was a hopeless endeavor. The majority of the text looks like this: 33. h3 Rg6 34. Re2 a6 35. Rf4 b5 36. b3 Rg5 37. g4 Rge5
But I persevered and practiced my vision for this notation with chess.com drills and watched hours of YouTube videos by a guy in India reading along while playing out the notations so I could see them.
I learned a lot. I haven’t seen it necessarily translate into improvement in my own play but it has impacted my decision making while playing a game and certainly my appreciation while watching other games.
But I persevered and practiced my vision for this notation with chess.com drills and watched hours of YouTube videos by a guy in India reading along while playing out the notations so I could see them.
I learned a lot. I haven’t seen it necessarily translate into improvement in my own play but it has impacted my decision making while playing a game and certainly my appreciation while watching other games.
December 27, 2017
thorough but dated
January 19, 2018
Sách gối đầu giường cho tất cả những người chơi cờ.
January 5, 2013
This book is a classic in chess planning and strategy. Originally published in English translation in 1930, it is still a cornerstone of chess literature and a jump into more 'modern' thinking of chess positional play. My copy is a 1964 reprint and, as such, still retains the older 'English descriptional' notation rather than the current algebraic notation which has become universal with computer chess engines and virtually all chess literature published today. I believe there are recent publications that have switched over to the algebraic. Most players will find it essential to set up a board and follow the moves, as the lines can be quite long at times.
At the end of the book is a collection of 50 games from master play that are used as examples of the author's explanations. Many of these are games the author played and won in international competition. The author takes credit for 'discovery' of many of the ideas put forth in this book. It is doubtful that he actually 'discovered' some of these ideas, but he get credit for exposing and teaching them to countless chess players over the decades.
In addition, those who use a UCI (Universal Chess Interface) on the computer to follow lines and games can find these games (not text) online in .PGN format which saves a lot of time setting up a board and resetting positions after following a variation.
I would call My System an essential item for any chess library. It is a book well worth returning to from time to time as a refresher for aspiring chess players.
At the end of the book is a collection of 50 games from master play that are used as examples of the author's explanations. Many of these are games the author played and won in international competition. The author takes credit for 'discovery' of many of the ideas put forth in this book. It is doubtful that he actually 'discovered' some of these ideas, but he get credit for exposing and teaching them to countless chess players over the decades.
In addition, those who use a UCI (Universal Chess Interface) on the computer to follow lines and games can find these games (not text) online in .PGN format which saves a lot of time setting up a board and resetting positions after following a variation.
I would call My System an essential item for any chess library. It is a book well worth returning to from time to time as a refresher for aspiring chess players.
September 4, 2013
Nimzowitsch described My System as a chess manual based "on entirely new principles." His idea that pawn masses at the center of the board might be a liability -- vulnerable to attack from the flanks -- was revolutionary, toppling verities and generating fierce resistance. "The reward for my new ideas consisted of abuse," he wrote bitterly, "or at best systematic silence." Today, nearly a century later, he would delight to know that his hypermodern approach is widely accepted. But if My System aimed at rationalizing chess, as the title suggests, its premise was supremely romantic: "For me," he wrote in a characteristic passage, "the passed pawn possesses a soul, just like a human being; it has unrecognized desires which slumber deep inside it and it has fears, the very existence of which it can but scarcely divine."
September 28, 2014
This is the edition I read, which is a large (bigger than trade) book with lots of room to annotate in the margins and really nicely printed diagrams.
There isn't much I can say about Nimzo that others haven't said better.
I will say that working my way through this book gave me a sense of confidence and direction in my game that was previously lacking.
Having a solid plan in the game is everything, and Nimzo's My System will definitely help with that.
Plus, the Nimzo-Indian is still pretty damned good in club games against 1.d4.
There isn't much I can say about Nimzo that others haven't said better.
I will say that working my way through this book gave me a sense of confidence and direction in my game that was previously lacking.
Having a solid plan in the game is everything, and Nimzo's My System will definitely help with that.
Plus, the Nimzo-Indian is still pretty damned good in club games against 1.d4.
February 10, 2016
Written from 1925 - 1927 as separate journals, My System was the first grandmaster's book to be published. It is written in a lucid style and often uses metaphor and analogy to reinforce a tactical or strategical detail. Nimzowitsch's wry sense of humour also adds colour and a personal tone to the book, and while the analogies are of their time, they still ring true with a charming antique quality.
And of course the tactics and strategies are core to playing Chess competently.
Essential reading for lovers of the great game.
http://bit.ly/1V3ery8
And of course the tactics and strategies are core to playing Chess competently.
Essential reading for lovers of the great game.
http://bit.ly/1V3ery8
January 31, 2017
An excellent book - a true classic. The concepts and techniques are great. My only criticism is that I wish the writing was more prosaic. For example, page 19, "If I were running a race with someone, it would at least be a waste of precious time to stop in order to blow my nose, though there is nothing wrong with blowing one's nose". Some of these types of statements often made the points more difficult to understand.
April 8, 2016
The most charming educational chess book, a beginner-friendly, yet deep display of concepts and strategy. It's old, but with an old world charm, and its concepts are brilliantly expressed, often even with humour.
December 16, 2016
A very subtle book of instruction on the finer points of chess. Not really a book for beginners or even intermediates. There is also a tone of arrogance to it, as he seems to feel that he invented the game or something. Not really my favorite, but I may not have been quite ready for this one.
January 14, 2023
I was way beginner to catch up with the author. The could not disagree with the given reasoning.
Each subject at question started out on a simple note that stimulated imagination which was reinforced with existing games.
It was a long read, and would be use it as reference moving further.
Each subject at question started out on a simple note that stimulated imagination which was reinforced with existing games.
It was a long read, and would be use it as reference moving further.
January 2, 2021
Still fantastic, especially at my level. Criticisms may be valid for masters but this book is clear and concise, systematic, and covers important basics that other strategic manuals overlook.
October 7, 2017
It's almost 90 years old and therefore there may be some ideas already outdated. Still, the best chess book I've ever read.
December 4, 2021
I'm really regret of having buy/read this book... I think it's not that suitable for chess improvement nowadays... is waaaaay too long and waaaaay too boring (and the huge amount of dad jokes made me cringe more than once)... some of the principles that explains are very usefull and important... but you don't need to read a 300+ pages book to learn about a blockader, a pinned piece, a seisure/surrender of the center, etc...
80+ years ago, Im sure this book was incledible ahead of it's time and really a masterpiece and a huge leap forward regarding chess undertanding... but nowadays, for chess improvement, is not a great option IMO.
In a nutshell: for chess history knowledge is a must read. But for chess improving is a loss of time.
On the positive part: the selection of games are really great!!... there are some gems in it (the inmortal zugswang game (altough it is lightly commented) and the inmortal overprotection game, for example). In other things I found really funny the hate that Nimzowitsch professes to Dr Tarrash throught the final part of the book. Also I really really enjoyed the chapter "my system in the computer age" (by Jacob Aagard)... is quite short, but very interesting.
80+ years ago, Im sure this book was incledible ahead of it's time and really a masterpiece and a huge leap forward regarding chess undertanding... but nowadays, for chess improvement, is not a great option IMO.
In a nutshell: for chess history knowledge is a must read. But for chess improving is a loss of time.
On the positive part: the selection of games are really great!!... there are some gems in it (the inmortal zugswang game (altough it is lightly commented) and the inmortal overprotection game, for example). In other things I found really funny the hate that Nimzowitsch professes to Dr Tarrash throught the final part of the book. Also I really really enjoyed the chapter "my system in the computer age" (by Jacob Aagard)... is quite short, but very interesting.
September 29, 2022
A true classic. Nimzowitsch's theories must have been revolutionary at the time. His book contains a lot of original thought and often colourful ways of describing the concepts. Famous have become phrases like the pawns' "lust to expand" and the quote "first restrain, then blockade and lastly destroy." The thinking in the book is very well developed from only a few core ideas; this was something that pleasantly surprised me. The drawback is that the way of presenting the material is old-fashioned and perhaps even out-dated. His explanations are sometimes wordy and confusing to the modern reader. This is probably an essential aspect of reading a classic, though. Another drawback is the subjectivity of the theories. Modern day chess theory has made huge advances since Nimzowitsch, so this book is not the best preparation for modern chess. These are the only two reasons why I am not giving it a five-star rating. I see why exposure to this classic is very important if you're serious about chess. So many books reference this work, but actually reading the book changes one's perception about it quite bit. Highly recommended, but this is not an easy read for the modern chess player.
September 19, 2022
My System by Aron Nimzowitsch is a trailblazer book that takes up its place as an iconic book for the chess world. First off, if you were in search of strategic chess book in 1960 then this was THE BOOK. However, as most trailblazers, those that follow often fine tune and improve upon the original ideas. Nimzowitsch popularized positional chess concepts that laid down the framework for strategy during his time. He tackled topics like pawn structures, tempo in the opening and how to occupy, defend and control the center as well as rooks and their roles on files. In his unique writing style, he gave memorable statements like, "Restrain, blockade and then destroy!" or "The passed pawn is a criminal, who must be kept under lock and key!"
I'd say that My System did not survive the test of time and I would now suggest to pass on the book in favor of more modern takes on the subjects like Jeremy Silman's "Reassess Your Chess, 4th edition" or perhaps "Understanding Chess Move by Move" by John Nunn.
I'd say that My System did not survive the test of time and I would now suggest to pass on the book in favor of more modern takes on the subjects like Jeremy Silman's "Reassess Your Chess, 4th edition" or perhaps "Understanding Chess Move by Move" by John Nunn.
October 3, 2018
A classic, possibly the best book on chess I've ever read. Nimzowitch reveals the simple, pure positional chess style he was famous for, with unprecedented clear explanation and reason. Few other attempt to be an all-encompassing philosophy on how to play the game and how he saw the seeds of positional evolution in the most chaotic of situations. As one of the fathers of the hypermodern school, his mark on the development of chess theory cannot be understated, and this book perfectly encapsulates that positional genius which allowed him to revolutionise the game.
February 11, 2023
I've been playing chess casually everyday for almost 2 years. Needless to say, wanting to have an expert-guidance only natural as a next step. Aron managed to expound precisely on how-to exploit position and then pounce the opponent at the right time.
However
As a person new to chess-lesson it took herculean effort to read chess-visualization, for example;
1.c4 nf6 2.nc3 c6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3
Aside from that, Aron managed to pass his understanding.
However
As a person new to chess-lesson it took herculean effort to read chess-visualization, for example;
1.c4 nf6 2.nc3 c6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3
Aside from that, Aron managed to pass his understanding.
January 21, 2024
Quarto libro di scacchi che ho letto.
Cosa ve lo dico a fare, dovete leggervelo, contiene ancora informazioni valide per il gioco degli scacchi.
Tale libro vi permetterà di conoscere un uomo oltre al gioco, che ha saputo andare contro corrente aprendo nuove strade per giocare le partite e come in ogni ambito chi stravolge le convenzioni accettate per vere fino a quel momento, poi dagli altri ottiene la derisione, poi la critica, la comprensione ed infine l'apprezzamento.
Cosa ve lo dico a fare, dovete leggervelo, contiene ancora informazioni valide per il gioco degli scacchi.
Tale libro vi permetterà di conoscere un uomo oltre al gioco, che ha saputo andare contro corrente aprendo nuove strade per giocare le partite e come in ogni ambito chi stravolge le convenzioni accettate per vere fino a quel momento, poi dagli altri ottiene la derisione, poi la critica, la comprensione ed infine l'apprezzamento.
January 7, 2021
Muy buen libro para comprender algunos fundamentos posicionales del ajedrez. No es recomendable para principiantes, ya que requiere cierto esfuerzo.
Algunos de los temas abordados como los peones doblados o la profilaxis siguen gozando de gran actualidad, mientras que otros temas como la superprotección ya han sido refutados.
Algunos de los temas abordados como los peones doblados o la profilaxis siguen gozando de gran actualidad, mientras que otros temas como la superprotección ya han sido refutados.
September 16, 2019
Some info in this book might seem outdated but even so it's extremely instructive to see how one of the best players of his time creates his ideas. Along with Chess Praxis Nimzowitsch's work is one of best works in chess literature.
September 21, 2019
Contiene muchas estrategias usadas por el gran Aron Nimzowitsch que nos ayudarán a elevar el nivel de nuestras partidas de ajedrez. Afortunadamente, se facilita mucho debido a las notaciones algebraicas y los diagramas de los tableros que ilustran jaques mates espléndidos.
May 21, 2021
Instuctive book but very hard to read the archaic English. Some positions are explained by listing piece positions instead of a diagram which also makes things harder. One of the first, if not the first, systematic explanation to chess thinking. Overall good book.
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